Journal Entry // December 30, 2021
This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;
Revelation 17:9 ESV
A mind with wisdom… There is an inclination within me to look around at all that is happening in the world and in my life and give myself over to despair. Despair leading to depression. For it all just seems overwhelming at times. I want to just check out mentally from it all and not deal with the reality of life. I find myself disengaging from life and pouring myself into worthless pursuits.
I want to escape life for a moment so I retreat into a fantasy world of my own creation in my mind or I retreat into a world created by another in books and movies and television. I occupy myself with sports or politics. I become busy with anything that lets the spotlight move me from engaging the world in the Spirit.
A mind with wisdom is a mind fully engaged with the Spirit of God. It’s not escaping the world. Quite the opposite to be sure. It’s bringing the truth of God into every area of life. Wisdom does not seclude itself away from the world. Wisdom takes faith and brings understanding.
A mind with wisdom is a difficult thing to be sure. Engaging with the world around me informed by the gospel is an ongoing struggle against my flesh. Every moment, every careless word, every stray action is important. A mind with wisdom sees Jesus.
This is what I desire in my life. I want my mind to be occupied with Jesus. I need my heart to beat in rhythm with the heart of Christ. I want my soul to be intertwined with the Spirit. I want my heart and mind and soul to be so fully meshed with Jesus that my actions express the love of Christ. Love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is wisdom from the Lord.
Father, fill me with your Spirit. Let your Spirit well up inside me so that it overflows into the lives of those around me. Let my mind be full of wisdom… Your wisdom. That I may engage with this life by bringing all glory and honor to you alone.